Jun 6, 2020

The Latest Issue of the Review of Biblical Literature

The latest issue of Review of Biblical Literature is out. Reviews can be accessed by clicking the links below but unfortunately you must be a SBL member.

Lynne Moss Bahr, “The Time is Fulfilled”: Jesus’s Apocalypticism in the Context of Continental Philosophy
Reviewed by Theron Clay Mock III

Theodore A. Bergren, A Latin-Greek Index of the Vulgate New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers
Reviewed by Thomas W. Hudgins

Roger A. Bullard and Howard A. Hatton, A Handbook on 1–2 Esdras
Reviewed by Andrew Daniel

Veronika Burz-Tropper, ed., Studien zum Gottesbild im Johannesevangelium
Reviewed by Jan Heilmann

William S. Campbell, The Nations in the Divine Economy: Paul’s Covenantal Hermeneutics and Participation in Christ
Reviewed by David J. Neville

Isaiah Gafni, Jews and Judaism in the Rabbinic Era: Image and Reality – History and Historiography
Reviewed by Eliezer Diamond

Andrew Gregory, ed., The Gospel according to the Hebrews and the Gospel of the Ebionites
Reviewed by David B. Sloan

Sarah Hart, From Temple to Tent: From Real to Virtual World (Exodus 24:15–Numbers 10:28)
Reviewed by Michael Homan

Laura Invernizzi, “Perchi mi hai inviato?”: Dalla diacronia redazionale alla dinamica narrativa in Es 5,1–7,7
Reviewed by Daniel Prokop

Amy Lindeman Allen, For Theirs Is the Kingdom: Inclusion and Participation of Children in the Gospel according to Luke
Reviewed by A. James Murphy

Jeremy D. Lyon, The Genesis Creation Account in the Dead Sea Scrolls
Reviewed by Stephen Reed

Scot McKnight, The Letter to Philemon
Reviewed by James P. Sweeney

Allan J. McNicol, The Persistence of God’s Endangered Promises: The Bible’s Unified Story Reviewed by Trevor Laurence

Jun 5, 2020

Why Was Faith Needed in the First Passover?

In the book of Hebrews we are told that Moses acted "by faith" in keeping the Passover (11:28). But why was faith necessary? I think that are at least three reasons. 

First, it was novel. The prior nine plagues did not require the Hebrews to participate. Thus, faith was required because it this plague broke the pattern. 

Second, faith was needed because it was "sacrificial" (pun intended). The Passover involved a costly sacrifice. Animals such as lambs were precious commodities, especially for impoverished slaves and to sacrifice an animal, your best animal (without blemish), would result in a significant material loss. 

Third, observing the Passover required faith because of the magnitude of the miracle. Such a thing had never been done before. How could a few swipes of blood on the doorposts and lintel make the difference between life and death?


Jun 4, 2020

Psalm 22 Links

I have been working on a commentary on the Psalms. I have decided to compile some helpful links that I discovered during my research. It includes a mix of exegetical and sermonic links. Here is what I have for Psalm 22 (in no particular order). Feel free to mention any that you find helpful in the comments section.

The Fathers on Psalm 22: https://pursuingveritas.com/2019/08/06/the-fathers-on-psalm-22

Spokane Bible Church: http://www.spokanebiblechurch.com/books/psalm-22

Literary analysis of Psalm 22: http://psalmsstudy.com/psalms-literary-analysis-by-chapter/literary-analysis-psalm-22

Ray Stedman., “The Suffering Savior,” Psalm 22: https://www.raystedman.org/old-testament/psalms/the-suffering-savior

Analysis by C. J. Labuschagne: https://www.labuschagne.nl/ps022.pdf

William Barrick’s notes: https://drbarrick.org/files/studynotes/Psalms/Ps_022.pdf

“Crucifixion of the King” Bruce Waltke: http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/audio/by/title/psalm_22_crucifixion_of_the_king

Jun 3, 2020

Free eBook: Discerning the Body: Searching for Jesus in the World

Wipf and Stock is offering a free eBook copy of Discerning the Body: Searching for Jesus in the World by Jason Byassee. The offer is only good until June 8 so you have to act quickly. Here are the instructions to get your copy.

1. Click on this link
2. Click "ADD TO CART" on the eBook option
3. Code "ebookfree" is automatically applied within the shopping cart
4. Upon checkout completion, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions of how to download your free eBook

Irenaeus and Augustine on Heaven

Michael Vlach has a helpful post here that also includes a nice table summarizing the views of Irenaeus and Augustine (early and later) on Heaven.

Jun 2, 2020

Is Psalm 88 the Saddest Psalm?

I am not sure that it is, but Bert Daniel has some helpful thoughts on it here.

Jun 1, 2020

Free Logos Book for June: Mark, 2nd edition (ACCSNT)

The free Logos Book for the Month for June is Mark, 2nd edition (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament). You can also purchase Galatians, Ephesians (Reformation Commentary on Scripture Collection, NT), James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament), and
Acts (Reformation Commentary on Scripture, NT)
for $1.99, $4.99, and $9.99 respectively. While you are at it, you can register for a chance to win the 14 volume IVP Reference Collection. For all these offers, go to the Logos' Free Book of Month page here.

May 31, 2020

The Latest Issue of the Review of Biblical Literature

The latest issue of Review of Biblical Literature is out. Reviews can be accessed by clicking the links below but unfortunately you must be a SBL member. 

Harold W. Attridge, History, Theology, and Narrative Rhetoric in the Fourth Gospel
Reviewed by Adele Reinhartz

Barry J. Beitzel, ed., Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels
Reviewed by Daniel M. Gurtner

Raymond E. Brown; Marion L. Soards, ed., An Introduction to the New Testament: The Abridged Edition
Reviewed by Steven R. Shisley

Paul-Marie Fidèle Chango, L’Ecclésiaste à la confluence du judaïsme et de l’hellénisme: Deux siècles d'histoire des études comparées du Qohélet et des vestiges littéraires et philosophiques grecs
Reviewed by Thomas Wagner

Marianne Grohmann and Hyun Chul Paul Kim, eds., Second Wave Intertextuality and the Hebrew Bible
Reviewed by Brandon R. Grafius

Christopher B. Hays, The Origins of Isaiah 24–27: Josiah’s Festival Scroll for the Fall of Assyria
Reviewed by Brad E. Kelle

Jill Hicks-Keeton and Cavan Concannon, eds., The Museum of the Bible: A Critical Introduction
Reviewed by Sidnie White Crawford

Christopher T. Holmes, The Function of Sublime Rhetoric in Hebrews: A Study in Hebrews 12:18–29
Reviewed by David M. Moffitt

Jason D. Lane, Luther’s Epistle of Straw: The Voice of St. James in Reformation Preaching
Reviewed by Chris Blumhofer

Deven K. MacDonald, Allegiance, Opposition, and Misunderstanding: A Narrative Critical Approach to Mark’s Christology
Reviewed by Richard Klee

Robert J. Myles, ed., Class Struggle in the New Testament
Reviewed by G. Anthony Keddie

Mark D. Nanos, Reading Corinthians and Philippians within Judaism: Collected Essays of Mark D. Nanos
Reviewed by Gregory Lamb

Nélida Naveros Córdova, To Live in the Spirit: Paul and the Spirit of God
Reviewed by Zane McGee

T. M. Oshima, ed., Teaching Morality in Antiquity: Wisdom Texts, Oral Traditions, and Images
Reviewed by Al Wolters

F. Scott Spencer, Song of Songs
Reviewed by Laura Quick